4 killed, 6 missing in Gujarat amid monsoon floods

Heavy monsoon flooding has killed four people in Gujarat, officials said on Sunday, with grave fears held for at least six others still missing following torrential downpours.

Major rail networks and dozens of highways in the State have been interrupted by flood waters. Power to more than 120 villages have been cut in badly-hit areas.

"Four people died after being swept away in rain waters since Saturday morning. Six others are missing", said Pankaj Kumar, a senior state government official, adding the National Disaster Response Force was searching for survivors.

The force, plus India's military, have rescued more than 2,000 people from the worst-hit regions and relocated them to higher ground.

The Indian Meteorological



Department predicts heavy rain to batter the State for another two days, especially in coastal areas, the department's Manorama Mohanty told AFP.

Monsoon rains have caused serious flooding in other states including Bihar, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The latter two States are enduring their worst floods and landslips in years amid more than a week of incessant rain.

Nearly half a million people in Assam have been affected, and more than two dozens killed in the downpours.

India's Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju posted on Twitter from Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday that funding for medicines and relief efforts had been released to assist those struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.